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CHAPTER 25

Jordan watched the plane land from her window seat. She quickly pulled her briefcase into her lap and waited impatiently for them to reach the gate. She had slept most of the New York to Nashville flight. She had been exhausted after the roller coaster of the past few days.

As the world knew, AJ took off for an undisclosed rehab center. The rest of the Backstreet Boys headed for New York. Jordan would have never believed it had been pulled off if she hadn’t been part of the plan. AJ had relented and agreed to check himself in to a drug treatment program. Even he was surprised with how fast everything went down from that point forward. He was on a plane with Marcus in tow, before dawn on Monday. The Boys were on buses headed for New York a short time later.

Skip was no fool. He had a feeling it was coming to this. They had all hoped they could hold it together until the end of the US leg of the tour. The ideal plan was to finish the tour in Dallas and move him directly into rehab. Unfortunately, the death of AJ’s grandmother seemed to throw him into a tailspin. It became very clear, it was rehab now or there would be no after the tour.

Skip had put Jordan on a secret mission of sorts approximately three weeks before. She researched all the venues starting with Nashville and going through the end of the tour. She had to find all the open dates for each venue then begin to layout contingency plans. As it became clear the tour would be sidetracked for a while, Jordan began placing holds on dates at all the venues for the remaining tour dates.

She had mentioned this to no one, but once Brian approached Skip about doing an intervention everything kicked into high gear. By the time the Boys made the final decision to confront AJ in Boston, Jordan and Skip had mapped an alternative schedule of dates.

The Boys were also surprised when Skip explained how everything was in place for this to happen. They were however grateful that The Firm was not giving them hassles this time. They had been butting heads so much in the recent months that the guys felt like it didn’t matter if one of them was in trouble. The Firm would not be there to help. This time they not only supported but also took the lead in getting everything organized.

Skip approached them about continuing without AJ, but the guys all gave a firm no. So that is how in less than 72 hours the Backstreet Boys’ tour was postponed and a Boy went into a 30-day treatment facility.

Jordan had ridden with the Boys to New York. She taped the MTV interview and TRL appearance. She remained in New York and attended the Today Show interview. Once the Today Show was done everyone split up.

Jordan didn’t talk to Kevin after the morning Kristin arrived. She threw herself into helping juggle everything around. She only said goodbye to Nick after the interview.

Nick had an appointment with the doctor in Boston who treated his broken hand. Carlos was going with him. She had offered to go with them on Monday night, but he declined her offer.

With nothing else to keep her there, she headed home. Now she was walking into the airport to see Delaney waiting for her.

“How much luggage do you have this time,” asked Delaney.

“All of it. So we better get a cart.”

“All of it? Jordan?”

“Not here.”

The two were subdued all the way to the apartment. Delaney would sneak glances at her friend. Jordan watched the scenery go by until they reached their destination.

“Unload now?”

“Later.”

Finally settled in the livingroom, they talked.

"How are things at work?" "I guess the same." "Not happy?" "I'm fine. It's just boring without you there." "Aww you miss me," teased Jordan. "Yeah. I think I'm ready for a change." "Doing?" "I don't know. I should do something with my accounting degree. I mean I'm paying the student loans back and I'm not doing any accounting." "You looking?" Delaney sighed, "yeah but the kicker is can you really see me in a cubicle all day crunching numbers?" "Not really. Well something will turn up." “Let's hope. So you back for good?”

“Pretty much.”

“Wow! Did you quit?”

“Pretty much.”

“So the guys know?”

“Nope. Just Skip.”

“You think Kevin is going to accept it?”

“Probably not, but it’s not his decision.”

“What did you tell Skip? I bet he was pissed.”

“Pretty much. After all I’m not leaving at the best time.”

“What reason did you give him?”

“I sorta told him the truth. I explained about my grandmother's estate and needing to handle some things I thought would wait until the end of the tour."

“You didn't tell him about Kevin?”

“NO!”

“What did he say?”

“There wasn’t much he could say. It’s a done deal.”

After pausing a moment, Delaney asked, “When do you need me out of here?”

“I don’t.”

“Don’t you want to move back in?”

“No. The lease is up in two months. If you want to renew, they can take my name off the lease. You’ve been paying rent and everything.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“You’re moving back in with your parents?”

“God no,” exclaimed Jordan with a chuckle. “I’m going to moved into my grandmother's…my new house. Aren’t you glad I made you drive my car to the airport?”

“I wondered what the big deal was. When you going up? Do your parents know yet?”

“I’m going up tomorrow and I’ll tell them when I call later.”

“When you telling the Boys?”

“Don’t know. They’re scattered to the four winds.”

“So you mentioned last night. Kevin is going to take it hard.”

“Nick will too.”

“Maybe, but Nick wasn’t your lover.”

“Neither was Kevin. Besides Nick is something far more. He’s my little brother.”

“When'd you decide not to got back?”

“The morning Kristin caught me in Kevin’s room.”

They continued to talk. Jordan laid out all of her reasons for leaving the tour. They ranged from she had betrayed everyone’s trust by getting involved with Kevin on any level to she now had a home to look after. Delaney knew all the reasons Jordan gave were reasonable, she also knew Jordan was running from Kevin. Delaney was certain of two things. One, Kevin would come after her. Two, getting away from the Backstreet Boys would not be as simple as Jordan thought.

Delaney was proven right when she woke up to the phone ringing after midnight.

“Hello?”

“Shaq?”

“No. Who is this,” asked Delaney, pressing her ear closer to the receiver in an attempt to hear the caller better over the background noise.

“Want Shaq.”

“Who is this?”

“It’s Shorty! Put’er on,” replied the slurred voice.

“Who is it Del,” asked Jordan, from the doorway.

“Some asshole who wants Shaq.”

“Give me the phone,” directed Jordan.

Delaney handed over the phone as she sat down on the bed.

“Nick?”

“Shaq?”

“It’s me. Where are you?”

“Who answered?”

“My friend Delaney.”

“Oh.”

“Nick?”

“Huh?”

“Where are you?”

“Um…Boston.”

“I know that, but where in Boston?”

“The tattoo place.”

“Why are you there? And where is Carlos?”

“Los not here?”

“Who’s with you?”

“Friends. New friends and old friends,” he said in a singsong voice.

“Nick are you getting another tattoo?”

“Nope.”

“OK.”

“I already got it,” he laughed.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Not too much. They let me get the tat.”

“Nick can you go some place quiet and alone?”

“Sure. Hey where’s the bathroom,” asked Nick to someone in the background.

Jordan waited until she heard him move into the bathroom.

“Nick did you lock the door.”

“Now I did.”

“Good. Nick what’s going on.”

“Nothing. We went partyin’ and then decided to get tattoos. Hang on I gotta piss.”

Jordan pulled the phone away from her ear when she heard the first gush.

Delaney asked, “what?”

“He’s peeing and I’m giving him some privacy.”

“So he’s trashed.”

“Sounds that way.”

“What are you going to do?”

“JORDAN,” came the yell from the receiver.

“I’m here Nick.”

“OK. Why am I in the bathroom?”

“We need to talk without all your friends around.”

“oooookkkkkkkk.”

“Nick why did you call?”

“Cause.”

“Cause…why?”

“I miss you. I was sittin’ there gettin’ the ink done and I missed you. And I miss Aje. I hate it here.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Don’t got no place to go,” he said with a small sniffle.

“Nick can you get back to the hotel and ditch your friends?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Just do it. I will have the hotel pack up your stuff.”

“Am I goin’ someplace? Wait I told you…I ain’t got not wheres to go.”

“Yes you do Nick. You’re coming here.”

“Nashville?”

“For starters.”

“But…”

“Nick listen to me ok?”

“Kay.”

“Just get to the hotel and ditch your buddies. Don’t tell them what’s going on.”

“I can’t do that to them!”

“I’ll take care of it when you’re on your way here. Please Nicky I want you to come see me.”

“See you?”

“Yes.”

“Kay.”

“Good. Now get back to the hotel.”

“Kay, why you bein’ so good to me?”

“Cause you’re my Shorty. Now go Nick.”

“Kay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Hanging up, Jordan turned to see Delaney looking at her.

“Don’t even start,” she warned.

“Not sayin’ a word.”

Chapter 26

“Nick we’re almost there,” said Jordan, gently shaking his shoulder.

“OK,” he said with start.

She had hustled him into her car as soon as he arrived. He nodded off before they even left the airport grounds. She let him sleep the entire two hour drive to her parents. She woke him as they turned onto the road leading to the house she grew up in.

“Hi mama,” greeted Jordan, embracing the older woman waiting on the porch when they pulled up.

“How’s my girl?”

“Tired, but good. I want you to meet Nick Carter.”

“Hello Mrs. Buchanan,” said Nick, stepping up to offer his hand.

“Hello Nick. Buddy get off him,” cried Jordan’s mother as the German Shepherd bounded around the corner of the house making a beeline for Nick.

“Buddy down,” reprimanded Jordan and the dog obediently dropped to the ground. “Sorry Nick he gets excited.”

“No problem,” said Nick as he scratched the dog behind the ear.

“Where’s dad?”

“Helping the Fletcher’s vaccinate their cows. He should be home soon enough. Grab your bags and come inside.”

Doing as instructed Nick followed Jordan and her mother into the house. Once the door was open, two things greeted Nick; the wonderful smell of food and a small, barking, black fur ball.

“Nick meet the big dog Gigi. She runs the place.”

Nick dropped his bag and reached out for the poodle. The dog immediately started sniffing then licked his hand. He chuckled as he picked her up. He looked at Jordan questioningly when the little dog wiggled free.

“She’s too excited to be held. She’s not a lap dog. She really thinks she’s 125lb. German Shepherd and Buddy thinks he’s the 5lb. lap dog. We have very strange pets.”

“Stop picking on the babies and show Nick to his room.”

“Yes mama. Follow me.”

Jordan took Nick to the guest bedroom then headed for her own. Nick was surprised to see a painting of Jesus hanging over the bed. He looked around the room. Everything from the white lace curtains to the patchwork quilt on the bed gave the room a country feel. He looked out the big bay window to a field across the gravel driveway.

Driving up he had instantly liked the place. The brick house was one story and couldn’t be seen from the road, because of surrounding trees. The swing on the front porch and the flowerbeds made it feel like something out of an Andy Griffith rerun Brian use to make him watch.

Setting his duffel bag on a chair, he decided to search for Jordan. He peaked in the guest bathroom just off his room. The next room was a sewing room. Walking down the short hall he glanced at the pictures. Many were of Jordan at various ages with the occasional picture of her parents when they were younger. Back in the livingroom more pictures of family. His nose led him into the kitchen.

Jordan’s mother was busy at the stove. Nick could tell she once had been a blonde like Jordan. Now her hair was more gray than blonde, short and curly. She was slightly taller than Jordan. The years had filled out the curves she had in the earlier pictures.

“If you’re looking for Jordan, she’s down in her room. Go through the door on your right to the back room and take the stairs down. Tell her to hurry up her dad is home and feeding the animals.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Janis smiled as Nick disappeared through the door. He had manners. She had expected some unclean, unkept heathen when Jordan said she was bringing home one of the band members. She was pleasantly surprised with Nick.

“Jordan?”

“To your left Nick.”

Nick turned from the big family room into a room almost the same size. “Wow.”

“Hmm?”

“Nice room. Even if it is girlie girl.”

“I know. My parents insist on not changing it. Have a seat.”

“Hey your mom said to hurry up. Your dad’s here.”

“Cool.”

Nick sat down on her bed as she indicated. Looking around, the room was pale lavender. Ivy had been painted as a border up near the ceiling, coming down in the corners. Jordan disappeared into what Nick assumed was her closet. He got up and crossed the room to her dresser, looking at the pictures.

“Who’s this?”

“Who? Oh that’s Andy. We went to senior prom together.”

“Oh. So you guys were high school sweethearts?”

“Not really. We were buddies and hung out together. Everyone thought we’d get married.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because I always knew he was in love with my little cousin Debbie,” she answered reaching for a photo album. “This is their wedding.”

Nick looked through the album then put it back in its place on the shelf over the dresser. The yearbooks caught his attention. He pulled down the one from her senior year. Looking through it, he saw she had been in choir, Honor Society, something called Beta Club. There were pictures from plays. She had the lead in “Phantom of the Opera”.

“Oh Lord, but that back!”

“Why? You sure did alot.”

“It was a small town school.”

“So.”

“It’s high school.”

“Yeah well I never got to go.”

“I know Nick. Even though you find it hard to believe, most of us who went to high school couldn’t wait to get out.”

“Yeah but you were so popular, like Kevin was.”

“Don’t confuse busy with popular.”

“Huh?”

“I stayed to myself as much as you can in a small town. I didn’t fit in.”

Janis calling them interrupted the conversation. As they reached the top of the steps, Gigi took off running for the back door. She danced around barking as the door opened. In stepped Buck Buchanan. Nick was surprised by the sheer size of the man. Nick was not small but still the man had a good two inches on him. He wore a T-shirt, jeans, workboots, and a Baseball Cap. He reached down and rubbed Gigi. Standing up he spotted his daughter.

“I see you made it safe.”

“Sure did. Hi Daddy,” answered Jordan stepping into her father’s hug. “You must be the musician she brought home.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Dad this is Nick.”

Nick extended his hand. Buck took it and watched the boy as he clamped down a little too tight. Nick didn’t move. With a nod of his head, Buck released his hand and stepped through the utility room to the kitchen.

“Mama it smells good,” he said dropping a kiss on his wife’s cheek. “I’ll get washed up so we can eat.”

“Good, because everything is ready. Jordan fix the drinks.”

“Can I help?”

“Sure Nick. Hold this platter while I fill it.”

Nick’s mouth watered as he watched her load the platter with fried chicken. Once it was full she directed him to the table which was already loaded with green beans, corn, mash potatoes, gravy, cornbread, and coleslaw.

Buck came back and the four sat down to eat. Nick started to reach for the cornbread between he and Jordan, but she took his hand instead. He was puzzled even after Jordan’s mom took his other hand. Janis noticed the color in his cheeks as they bowed their heads for the blessing. After amen Janis and Jordan both gave his hands a reassuring squeeze.

Dinner was delicious and Nick complimented Janis on it causing her to blush. Buck Buchanan had to also admit this boy sitting across from him was not what he had expected. Despite his best intentions, he found himself liking the young man.

After dinner they all moved into the living room to watch the end of the news. At one point in the evening Janis glanced over at Nick when he was scratching his bicep and noticed one of the Japanese symbols. She frowned, but didn’t say anything, until Nick excused himself and went to the bathroom.

“Jordan you didn’t tell us he has tattoos.”

“He has what,” asked her father.

“He has tattoos.”

“So all this sir and ma’am stuff was an act.”

“Dad catch a clue!”

“You will not speak to your father that way young lady!”

“Look. Nick is a very sweet young guy who has not a clue what it’s like to not have people use him. Yes he has tattoos but that doesn’t change his personality, only your perception of him. I brought him here so he wouldn’t get pulled on and so he can feel safe.”

“Safe? Why doesn’t he feel safe,” asked her mother.

“I’ll show you some of what he goes through. But I’m telling you now. He needs to be treated like you have been. So help me, I will pack up and leave now if you started acting any differently.”

They went back to watching TV as they heard Nick coming down the hall. After a few minutes, Jordan excused herself. She came back with a videotape. Popping it into the VCR, she explained it was a copy of the TV Special CBS, which aired in May.

They watched. Nick cringing here and there at mistakes he saw. He was uncomfortable watching himself, especially with Jordan’s parents. It still blew him away when he saw what they had sat in the middle of in Rio. It was scary enough being stuck on the bus, but to see the aerial shot was overwhelming.

“You didn’t actually get off that bus,” commented Janis.

“We had too.”

“Watch,” directed Jordan.

“My heavens,” exclaimed her mother as she watched them running off the bus. “It’s a wonder no one was hurt.”

“Son looks like you need more security the next time you go there.”

“Believe me, we did.”

“Now US fans don’t act like that...Right?”

“Mom they’ve broken into the buses, tried to get in their rooms. They find their houses and camp out. Fans are the same pretty much everywhere, but this was extreme even for them.”

“Where are their mothers?”

“Dad some of them are right there with their daughters.”

“Then they need a good talkin’ to.”

“We have great fans. They just get carried away sometimes, but if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be doing what we love.”

“What do your parents think about all of this,” asked Janis.

“They support me. They're busy right now.”

“Doing what,” asked Jordan’s father, missing the look she was giving him.

“My little brother, Aaron is touring and my sister, Lesley is his opening act.”

“Goodness. How many children are there?”

“There are five of us. I’m the oldest then my sister, Bobby Jean. We call her BJ. Lesley’s next. Angel and Aaron are the youngest.”

“Are you all in show business?”

“Everyone but Angel. Aaron and Lesley sing like me. BJ is trying acting.”

“I see,” replied Janis finally seeing her daughter’s face and changing the subject. “Who is ready for dessert?”

After dessert and watching the 10:00 news they all headed off to bed. Nick was relaxed and it felt good. He crawled into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.